Things to do in Essen

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Essen
Essen
Essen
Essen
Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site

Essen Attractions

You'll soon learn why travelers flock to Essen. Whatever your interests or age, there are countless activities and attractions to throw yourself into. Book your flights, get your bags packed and prepare to discover this enthralling city.

Discover the sights of Essen with some unique tours & day trips, or check out our list of {31 fun activities in Essen fun activities in Essen}. We have no booking fees as well as free cancellation, so you can rest easy and concentrate on planning your dream vacation.

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Most popular activities in Essen

Tours & day trips

See all 26 activities
Düsseldorf: Guided Night Watchman Tour through Kaiserswerth

Düsseldorf: Guided Night Watchman Tour through Kaiserswerth

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is $24 per adult
Düsseldorf: Guided Night Watchman Tour through KaiserswerthOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 12 activities
Private wine tasting meets Bulli in the Ruhr area

Private wine tasting meets Bulli in the Ruhr area

Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is $80 per adult
Private wine tasting meets Bulli in the Ruhr areaOpens in new tab

Attractions

See all 4 activities
SEA LIFE Oberhausen Admission Ticket

SEA LIFE Oberhausen Admission Ticket

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is $25 per adult
SEA LIFE Oberhausen Admission TicketOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Essen

Number of things to do
31
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Gelsenkirchen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $10
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Essen

Free Things to Do in Essen

Vacationing on a lean budget in Essen? Spend time, not money, on fabulous experiences.

Tetrahedon Bottrop - When you want to get cultured, stop by and observe the artistic creativity on show.

University of Duisburg-Essen - Architecture aficionado or not, get set to be awed by this landmark's modernistic design.

Old Synagogue - Get educated on some of the unique history of the area through this attraction.

Baldeneysee - There's something calming about being around water, so stay a while here.

Collegiate Church - Do some soul searching or just take in the tranquil ambiance at this religious site.

Stadtgarten - Whether you can distinguish your lilies from lilacs, you're sure to find beauty in this gorgeous display.

Things to Do in Essen with Kids

There are plenty of incredible experiences in Essen that the whole gang will enjoy. Here are some of the best family friendly experiences in the area.

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Essen? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Essen

Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site

Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site

Explore a complex described as the most beautiful coal mine in the world to find captivating museums and learn about Essen’s fascinating industrial heritage.

Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site
Grugapark Botanical Garden

Grugapark Botanical Garden

Go on a botanical tour of the world and indulge your senses in the beautifully maintained displays of this garden in Essen’s large municipal park.

Grugapark Botanical Garden
Folkwang Museum

Folkwang Museum

Photography, modern art and German posters are among the themes in this museum, which combines three major collections into one wide-ranging survey.

Folkwang Museum
Red Dot Design Museum

Red Dot Design Museum

First-rate contemporary design is the theme that unites the exhibits on display at this museum, which is housed within a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Red Dot Design Museum
Aalto Theatre

Aalto-Musiktheater

Enjoy a night of opera or ballet in this landmark theater that incorporates contemporary architecture and state-of-the-art acoustics into its design.

Aalto-Musiktheater
Ruhr Museum

Ruhr Museum

Discover the rich cultural and natural history of the Ruhr region when you peruse the exhibits in this repurposed building in the former Zollverein coal mine.

Ruhr Museum
Ruhr

Ruhr

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Ruhr during your travels in Essen.

Ruhr

Messe Essen

3.5/5(13 reviews)

Learn about the events happening at Messe Essen during your trip to Essen. Take in the theater scene while you're in the area.

Messe Essen

Baldeneysee

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Baldeneysee during your travels in Essen. Take in the theater scene while you're in the area.

Baldeneysee

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Essen

Ruettenscheid as well as a large group of people

Ruettenscheid

4/5(2 area reviews)

The bars and museums are just a few things visitors like about Ruettenscheid. Grugahalle and Grugapark Botanical Garden are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Messe Ost-Gruga-Halle U-Bahn or Martinstrasse U-Bahn to get around the larger area.

Ruettenscheid
Essen

Stadtkern

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Noted for its shopping and bars, there's plenty to explore in Stadtkern. Top attractions like Philharmonie Essen and Essen Cathedral are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Hirschlandplatz U-Bahn or Berliner Platz U-Bahn to see more of the city.

Stadtkern
Just 20km northeast of the Düsseldorf airport lies a quaint historic town called Kettwig. It is part of the city, Essen, in western Germany, situated next to the Ruhr river. Here you will find many boutique shops, cafés, bistros, biergartens, and wine bars alongside houses dating back to the 1600s.

Kettwig

5/5(5 area reviews)

Historic sites and restaurants are just a few features Kettwig is known for, and you can get around the area by hopping on the metro at Kettwig S-Bahn or Kettwig Stausee S-Bahn.

Kettwig
Ruettenscheid as well as a large group of people

Stadtbezirke II

If you're spending time in Stadtbezirke II, check out sights like Grugahalle or Grugapark Botanical Garden and hop on the metro to see more the city at Essen Stadtwald S-Bahn or Martinstrasse U-Bahn.

Stadtbezirke II
Essen

Stadtbezirke I

If you're spending time in Stadtbezirke I, check out sights like Philharmonie Essen or Folkwang Museum and hop on the metro to see more the city at Hirschlandplatz U-Bahn or Berliner Platz U-Bahn.

Stadtbezirke I
Suedviertel showing modern architecture

Suedviertel

3/5(1 area review)

The bars and museums are just a few things visitors like about Suedviertel. Folkwang Museum and Aalto-Musiktheater are worthwhile spots to check out, and you can hop on the metro at Philharmonie U-Bahn or Bismarckplatz U-Bahn to get around the larger area.

Suedviertel
See our Where To Stay guide

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Essen

Photo by Annette Loske

Velbert

Photo by Trembich Moving Moments

Oberhausen

Ratingen showing heritage architecture

Ratingen

Bochum showing a city, modern architecture and outdoor eating

Bochum

Photo by Trembich Moving Moments

Bottrop

Photo by Trembich Moving Moments

Gelsenkirchen

Photo by Trembich Moving Moments

Muelheim an der Ruhr

Photo by sd577

Hattingen

Frequently asked questions

Is Essen worth visiting?
Renowned for its views and family-friendly attractions, finding fun things to do in Essen is a cinch. Be sure to add Seaside Beach Baldeney to your itinerary when here.
How do I spend a day in Essen?
Once you've checked off leading attractions like Seaside Beach Baldeney and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Oberhausen, spend the rest of your day experiencing the retail and food options in Essen.
What is the top tourist attraction in Essen?
Seaside Beach Baldeney is one of the top tourist attractions in Essen and should be high on every sightseeing itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Essen?
You can easily enjoy top sights like Seaside Beach Baldeney, AQUApark Oberhausen and Metronom Theater with a three-day stay in Essen. On average, many travelers book two days here. There's plenty to explore nearby too, so stick around longer and head to Düsseldorf.
Is Essen a walkable city?
Some top sights in Essen, such as Colosseum Theater and Schloss Borbeck, are within walking distance. You can also explore several of the city's neighborhoods on foot. Just 0.2 miles from central Essen is Stadtbezirke I and Stadtkern is 0.1 miles away.
What are some activities to do in Essen with kids?
Deciding what to do in Essen with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're taking a trip with toddlers or teenagers, there's no shortage of family-friendly sights to keep them happy here.

What to do in Essen for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Essen, with experiences for adults of all ages. End the day with a visit to Grugahalle or Red Dot Design Museum.
Are there free things to do in Essen?
From enjoying parks to strolling around hip neighborhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Essen. If you're stuck for ideas, ask for tips from a local tour guide. Baldeneysee is a great spot for anyone wanting to save on their sightseeing adventures.